Four Years, Four Titles: Rumson-Fair Haven Football Leaves Lasting Legacy

1241

NEW BRUNSWICK – Rumon-Fair Haven’s feat of capturing its fourth state championship in as many years was summed up in one moment as the clock hit zero last Saturday.

Senior linebacker Mike Ruane walked down his sideline chanting “Four!” while holding that number of fingers up, showing the crowd at High Point Solutions Stadium at Rutgers University that his right hand is just about filled up with championship bling.
A sea of purple-and-white helmets thrown sky high accompanied that moment, as the Bulldogs stormed the field for an elated midfield celebration.
Rumson-Fair Haven linebacker Mike Ruane holds up four fingers as the click winds down at Rutgers following the Bulldogs 27-22 win over South Plainfield in the Central Jersey Group 3 state championship. Photo by Rich Chrampanis

“This is how I wanted to go out, and I’m happy that we ended this way,” Ruane said after the 27-22 victory over South Plainfield in the Central Jersey Group 3 Championship. “I wouldn’t want to go out any other way.”
What a season it was for the Bulldogs, who finished the year at 9-3, and are bringing their fourth straight state title back home to Rumson.
A core member on each of those teams, Ruane had become known as one of the most feared defenders in the Shore Conference. The aggressive linebacker has climbed over the century mark plateau for tackles in his senior season, and will be moving to the University of Massachusetts to continue his football career once December classes conclude.
“It’s surreal, to put it into words,” Ruane said. “I’m pretty star-struck that this is probably the last time we’ll play together as a group. Some guys are closer than others, but this is a cool feeling, and it’s good to get it with these guys, guys I’ve known from freshman year and eighth grade.”
South Plainfield sure came to play Saturday evening, as they took a 14-0 lead on RFH through two quarters of play. Admittedly, the Bulldogs seemed to start the game flat, trying to set the passing game up early on with little success.

Rumson-Fair Haven quarterback Michael O’Connor had the game winning touchdown run and this 35 yard gallop late in the game to help preserve the victory. Photo by Rich Chrampanis

Though, their ace-in-the-hole – a dominant run game from senior quarterback Michael O’Connor and senior running back Matt Vecchiarelli – was their key to finding the win.
“The O-line was ridiculous, sealing everything for me and just me being able to get through the hole and use my speed in the open field,” Vecchiarelli said.
Finding running lanes behind the imposing No. 76, senior Tim Leonard, the QB/RB combo combined for 301 rushing yards, dominating the run game throughout the contest.

“We’ve had a pretty strong connection,” O’Connor said about his and Vecchiarelli’s relationship. “We’re actually neighbors and we have a good connection so it helps.”
An 80-yard touchdown scamper by Vecchiarelli in the second quarter helped the senior running back find his groove, and a halftime talk from first-year head coach Jerry Schulte all but cemented the Bulldogs’ mentality coming out of the break.